Max of three horses (say 1500 pounds each = 4500 pounds).
I am trying to decide whether to get a 2500 or a 3500 in either the dodge or the Chevy.
I orignally wanted a GMC, but those are so hard to find.
5000 pounds + 4500 pounds = 9500 pounds without gear, tack, people, etc.
I have heard that the rule is to only tow 80% of the towing vehicles recommended weight for live cargo..... ie; The dodge 2500 towing capacity is listed at approximately 12,000 pounds.
80% of 12,000 pounds = 9600 pounds. (which is really close to what I want to pull).
I feel like, according to this rule, I am right on the edge of needing a 3500 truck, instead of the 2500.
Posted 2007-09-26 1:44 PM (#2101 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Location: Colorado
I think pulling a 3 horse with a 2500 that you will get along fine. The 3500 with single rear wheels, not duals, would also work well. Probably the biggest difference between the two is the 3500 probably has heavier suspension components.
It also depends some on how much (often) and how many miles you are hauling. For example, 40 or 50 miles 3 or 4 times a month, or pulling your trailer full of horses 30,000 miles a year?
We've pulled a lot of gooseneck 4 horse trailers an awful lot of miles with a properly set up 3/4 ton pick-up.
Posted 2007-09-26 8:10 PM (#2102 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 14
Lets see, I am looking at:
New
Diesel Engine
4x4
Extended/Quad Cab
Automatic Transmission
Long Box (8ft)
2500 or 3500 Single Rear Wheel
3.73 or 4.10 rear axle
I have all of the trailering books, but if I take into consideration the "80% live cargo" rule, then I am right on the line when I have added in all of my stuff.
BUT, that is also a max case scenario, and typically won't (if ever) haul THAT much....
Posted 2007-09-28 10:40 AM (#2103 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Location: Colorado
It looks like you could really go with either one. I guess all things being equal, if there is not a significant price difference, I'd probably go with the 3500 single rear wheel truck. The 3.73 ratio will be best for fuel mileage. All these diesel engines have plenty of power for this size truck, so there is really no need to go with the 4.10 ratio- that used to be a consideration for pulling heavier loads when we didn't have the big horsepower we have now.
The other thing I would try to get is the camper/tow package. The main thing that should add is sway bars- and that's a good thing!
Posted 2007-11-14 2:04 PM (#2171 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Location: Colorado
I'll start by saying I've not had or pulled with a short bed pick up, but I have seen quite a few set up for pulling goosenecks. In fact, my brother-in-law pulled with a Ford F250 short bed. He pulled two different trailers, Sundowner and Cherokee, that have very square noses. I've never looked at where his hitch is mounted, but he has told me it's not a problem having the short box. I guess I'd be doing some measuring to make sure with the hitch mounted over the rear axle, there would be clearance for the corner of the trailer. I would not want to have to mount the hitch behind the rear axle centerline because of weight distribution. The measurement you'd want to pay attention to would be the center of the hitch to the front corners of the trailer.
Posted 2007-11-15 8:40 AM (#2172 - in reply to #2169) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 14
Windy......rule of thumb is ....tapered nose trailer, short bed is OK........full box nose, shortbed is no recommended because if and when you need to 90 degree your rig, you will blow out your back window. This usually only happens when you are in a hurry and not paying attention to the clearance between the truck and trailer.........On a long bed truck, it does not matter if it is tapered or not....should have plenty of clearance for turning sharp......
Posted 2007-11-26 5:22 PM (#2177 - in reply to #2176) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 1
Hi! I'm new to this board.
I have a four horse Featherlite with a 6 foot SW weekender. I pull with an 01 F350 Crewcab SRW, 3.73, V10. Most (not all) trailers have a tapered nose now days, especially with the popularity of crew cabs. I haven't had a problem jackkniffing the rig yet, as long as you pay attention.
When I bought my truck, I went with the 350 because the option up from the 250 was only about $250 extra. Here in Minnesota, for some reason the license tabs on a 350 farm truck are only $120/ year. With a 250 it would have been $438 the first year. Didn't take me long to decide!
Glad I did though. I am even going to put air bags on this winter, because I do squat a little bit.
Mileage doesn't change. Went on a 600 mile trip a week ago, and averaged 16mpg with just the truck. We were going between 75and 80 mph almost the whole time. Usually get 10 to 12 mpg with the trailer and two horses, hay and 40 gallons of water.
Posted 2007-11-29 9:00 PM (#2183 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 4
Either way you go, 250/350, youll be fine for what your planning to haul. The differences will be the way the truck rides with and without a load. And i would go with the 3.73 aswell. Also they make a gooseneck hitch that is specifically designed for short bed trucks. Its like an extend a hitch or something, it just hooks right into where the normal goosneck hitch goes, but sits about 4-5 inches closer to the tailgate.
Posted 2008-02-23 2:43 PM (#2234 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 2
I've got an 'o7 2500hd chevy short wheel base 6.0 vortec gas engine that i pull a 32FT. steel stock trailer with every day about 60 miles. it pulls fine and i havent had any problems.
Posted 2008-04-27 7:04 AM (#2278 - in reply to #2172) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 150
Location: Maryland
I have an F250 Ext Cab SB and I tow a Exiss. I felt very uncomfortable with the way the trailer was when turning it . I ended up getting the SB1 Trailer coupler which sets the trailer back 9 inches but yet keeps the weight ditributed over the axel. I can back the trailer at angles and not worry so much now...
Posted 2008-06-25 1:09 PM (#2298 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 9
we have a 2006 duramax desiel that we use for short hauling with are little trailer a 3 horse with 10 ft shortwall it does fine the suspention stays up we put helper springs on it for towing equipment with a tagalong trailer but it tows are three horse fine and we tow are big trailer 6 horse 12 ft s/w with a 5500 it broke down about 200 miles away from home and the 2500 pulled the six horse completely loaded fine it was just a little low in the back. so i owuld just go with the 2500 it has the same frame as the 3500 does and costs about 3 to 5 thousend less on average. good luck hope this helped
Posted 2008-11-08 9:05 PM (#2365 - in reply to #2101) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 5
HI..the suspension on the 2500 and the 3500 are exactly the same... the 3500 is a dually....... if I am not mistaking.. but have had both and the same parts are in both truck.....
the springs are the same and the shocks are the same..... rearend bearings are the same.......... even in the dually....... all the components were the same.... at least with the trucks I had..... If I were to say my choice I would get a dodge.... with there new diesel.... the 6.4 and the 6.0 of fords are one big headache... and chevy...still has to learn to make a truck....
Right now I am looking or a Freightliner..... to pull my horse trailer...
Posted 2009-01-20 2:49 PM (#2409 - in reply to #2365) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 9
If you live up north get a duramax the start cold alot better thant he cummins does and the 6 and 6.4 fords are horible engines if you were to look at a ford get the 7.3 liter
Posted 2009-01-21 11:46 PM (#2412 - in reply to #2102) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 176
ncsuacd, with what you are hauling or going to haul, the 3/4 ton would be just perfect. Go with the 3.73 gears, the so called "camper package" is a joke most of the time, so check to make sure what is included. Most all diesel trucks have the heavy duty cooling, tranny cooler, reciever hitch and 7 way plug as standard equipment now so there is no need to pay twice!
We have a 2007 Dodge with the 6.7 engine, 6 speed asian trans and love everything but the mileage. But I bought a truck to HAUL with. We have the 3500HD cab and chassis with a hauler bed and 4.10 gears. So hauling 15, 1200lb round bales is a not bad at all. (GM would not hold the wieght and we got a better deal on a Dodge than a Ford would offer)
Wanted a Ford F-450 but could not find one with 4.10 gears, only 4.30 and 4.88. Talk about sorry mileage.
Posted 2009-03-22 7:06 AM (#2440 - in reply to #2099) Subject: RE: Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
Posts: 13
I'm going to weigh in here. Buy as much truck as you can afford. I haul alot, horse, hay equipment etc. I run an'01 Ram 3500 4X4 dually w/ a 5.9L Cummins diesel. $.10 ratio. Note that if you run an auto trans you will probably be running in Tow/Haul mode and that drops you back to just about a 4.10 range anyway. On the truck forums you always here peole in trouble from towing with automatics if they haven't done any upgrades(deeper pans, temp gauges, valve bodies and such). IMHO you would be better off with a six speed. Also the new trucks with Active Regeneration and particulate filters are not very mileage friendly. 8' bed, but don't go with duals unless you are going to spend alot of tiome on the road. A 3/4 ton that has a tow package will do fine. If you go diesel and live in the north, plug it in. You'll do fine. Join a couple of brand specific forums and see what the problems and good points are. Good luck in your search. Dan
Horse Trailer Towing ..... 2500 or 3500.... Duramax/Cummings/Ford ?
